The Democratic Party of Korea on Monday, one day before the June 3 local elections, appealed for support by stating, "Cho Kuk and Kim Kwan-yong are not Democratic Party candidates. The Democratic Party's candidate in Pyeongtaek-B is Kim Yong-nam, and its candidate in North Jeolla Province is Lee Won-taek."
Cho Seung-rae, head of the Democratic Party's general election campaign committee, held a press briefing at the National Assembly and emphasized, "Citizens who support the president and the Democratic Party should choose the Democratic Party candidates Kim Yong-nam and Lee Won-taek." He added, "On the surface, [Pyeongtaek-B in Gyeonggi Province] appears to be a two-way race, but in reality, as the People Power Party candidate gains momentum, it is increasingly likely to become a three-way contest. Choosing another candidate means the People Power Party wins."
The party also intensified its offensive against the People Power Party in a last-minute push. Cho referred to People Power Party National Assembly candidates Lee Jin-sook, Kim Tae-gyu, and Yoon Yong-geun as "the three core members of Yoon Again," saying, "These individuals should be removed from politics, not elected as lawmakers."
Regarding Han Dong-hoon, an independent National Assembly candidate in Busan's Buk-gu A district, Cho said, "He is using Busan's Buk-gu solely for his own political ambitions." He urged, "If supporters are organizing fraudulent address registrations for electoral purposes, that is a clear violation of the Public Official Election Act, and the National Election Commission and investigative authorities must thoroughly investigate any connection to the Han camp."
On the outlook for the 14 National Assembly by-elections held alongside the local elections, Cho identified five as competitive races. "Pyeongtaek-B, Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, Daegu Dalseong, Ulsan Nam-gu (Nam-A), and Busan Buk-gu (Buk-A) are at times competing with People Power Party candidates, at times with candidates from other parties, and at times with independents," he explained.
Regarding the suspension of party-level campaigning following the previous day's explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant, Cho said, "We have revised some guidelines to prohibit the use of loudspeakers in Daejeon, Sejong, and nearby areas." He added, "In other regions, choreographed dances and campaign jingles are banned, but communication with citizens through loudspeakers will continue."
